A randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis in a routine clinical service.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis (CBTp) delivered by non-expert therapists, using CBT relevant measures.

METHOD

Participants (N = 74) were randomised into immediate therapy or waiting list control groups. The therapy group was offered 6 months of therapy and followed up 3 months later. The waiting list group received therapy after waiting 9 months (becoming the delayed therapy group).

RESULTS

Depression improved in the combined therapy group at both the end of therapy and follow-up. Other significant effects were found in only one of the two therapy groups (positive symptoms; cognitive flexibility; uncontrollability of thoughts) or one of the two time points (end of therapy: general symptoms, anxiety, suicidal ideation, social functioning, resistance to voices; follow-up: power beliefs about voices, negative symptoms). There was no difference in costs between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The only robust improvement was in depression. Nevertheless, there were further encouraging but modest improvements in both emotional and cognitive variables, in addition to psychotic symptoms.